Yiorgos Poussaios

Secretary General,
Culture and Tourism Ministry

Philoxenia 2010 greeting.

The 26th consecutive organization of the Philoxenia exhibition emphasizes the potential of tourism that is continuously growing worldwide.

Greece, country of Zeus, protector of hospitality, has a diversified environment of incomparable beauty that could be the dream of every citizen around the globe. The proper use of this environment in combination with our culture -modern and ancient- can only bring positive results.

We have adopted “green” strategies and a sustainable development framework that is gaining ground in other developed countries around the globe.

Under this policy we are offering support to private enterprises. There is no doubt that this collaboration between the public and private sector can lift Greece to where it deserves to be.

It is essential to jointly open up new horizons with a new perspective and long-term vision to bring quality to Greek tourism.

The entrepreneurial genius of the Greeks abroad, especially in the shipping sector, is highly praised. Here in Greece, however, the public sector’s bureaucracy often suffocates private initiatives.

Together we need to break the status quo and defeat any obstacles. Our motto is “everything can be done, as long as we want it to be done.”

I believe that the ideal structure of tourism can be built with ingenious entrepreneurship, the liberation of the Greek entrepreneur and transparency.

There is no need to build artificial paradises, as other countries do. Our country already is a huge haven for tourism.

The ministry is making an effort to provide opportunities for the surfacing of the Greek identity through tourism entrepreneurship.

So, with past practices put aside and through collectiveness and dedication much can be achieved for Greek tourism.

The Culture and Tourism Ministry is open to proposals and initiatives so that, subsequent to the miracle of our shipping industry, we may generate a second miracle, that of tourism.

I wish great luck and every success to this year’s Philoxenia.